Muhammadiyah's Eid Prayer Sermon: No Need to Sharpen Differences

The General Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership (PP), Haedar Nashir, delivered a sermon at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). Haedar reminded the congregation not to sharpen differences and to observe Eid al-Fitr with devotion. “There is no need for us to sharpen differences, let alone seek self-justification by blaming others. Both in the context of citizenship and governance, all parties must exercise restraint,” said Haedar during the Eid al-Fitr prayer sermon at UMY, as reported by Antara on Friday (20/3/2026). Haedar then invited religious figures and national elites to avoid statements or remarks that could muddy the atmosphere in society, especially regarding differences in the date of Eid al-Fitr. According to the professor of sociology, Eid al-Fitr should be observed with devotional worship as well as clarity of soul and mind. “Observe Eid al-Fitr with devotion, whether celebrating on 20 or 21 March, or even earlier, so that we do not get trapped in the desire for differences that actually fracture unity,” he said. Haedar is optimistic that the Indonesian nation possesses the maturity to handle differences in the determination of major religious holidays in a reasonable manner and not as a source of conflict. He also hopes that in the future, the Islamic world will have a single global calendar to minimise differences in determining major religious holidays. “In the future, insyaallah these differences can be minimised if there is openness of heart and mind, and based on high scientific knowledge,” he stated. Haedar emphasised the importance of exemplary conduct from national elites in maintaining unity, peace, and tolerance while promoting the progress of the ummah and the nation. “Provide an example to the people that the elites are able to become uswah hasanah in creating unity, peace, tolerance, and progress. We still have various backwardnesses that require collective hard work from all components of the nation,” he said.